I wake up in a straitjacket.
Which shouldn’t be that surprising, given the memories that filter back into my mind as I come into consciousness. I think Mia and I danced on the karaoke stage? A fantastic lemon vanillacake was in attendance, maybe? There’s a vague vision of me smearing icing on Mia’s cheek and Bree licking it off, and I think I was showing my parents videos of miniature donkeys and telling them they should get some forthe vibes.
All those moments are hazy on the edges, but a few flicker in crystal-clear. Theo twirling me on the dance floor. His thumb sliding over my bottom lip. Late-night snacks in the kitchen. Dimples in the moonlight.
Are we flirting? Yeah, we are.
The straitjacket tightens. My pillow shifts. A soft, contented hum hits the nape of my neck.
I barely contain a gasp as my eyes flash open. Holding my breath, I peer down. Thick, tan forearms greet me—one banded across my collarbone, the other around my waist. Time slows as I take inventory of everything else I can feel. A cozy blanket wrapped around me. Kitten curled at my thighs. Breath puffing against my bare shoulder. Warm bicep under my head. A long body pressed to my back, curved behind my legs.
He stayed.
My pulse is like an accelerating drumbeat, building into a big crescendo. It’s a wild, feral thing inside my chest, and I don’t know how to slow it down. Another hum leaves Theo’s throat, and he pulls me even closer.
That’s when a new memory drops into my mind. An almost-kiss. Fingers blocking my mouth. An apologetic smile.
Fabes. No.
Oh, god. Itried to kiss him. No, worse than that. Itried to kiss him, and he turned me down.
Embarrassment washes through me. This is awful, actually. Ineed space. Wait, I need more than space. Ineed to move towns. Ineed to move planets. Idon’t know how I can look him in the face ever again.
My mouth feels like it’s full of cotton balls, there’s an elephant-size pain in my head, and my heart is racing like we’re in the Kentucky Derby. I need to get away from here. I try to wiggle, squirm, and shimmy my way out of his arms, but every inch I gain, he steals back, pulling me closer. His breaths are steady, like he’s still asleep, and every time he tugs me in, his muscles relax again.
I’ll be honest, it’d be really damn adorable if my heart wasn’t crumpling with humiliation and my bladder wasn’t fighting for its life.
Finally, I whisper, “Theo.”
I hear him swallow. “You can’t go down those stairs, sweetheart.”
Goose bumps prickle over my shoulders.Oh my god, Theo’s voice first thing in the morning is more than I can handle. It’s rough and delicious and I want to—fuck, I’m getting distracted.
“I promise I won’t go downstairs. Just the bathroom.”
A low sound—maybe a hum, maybe a growl—leaves his throat as he loosens his arms, and I wiggle my way out. At the bathroom door, I turn back anddammit, it’s a mistake. He looks soft and rumpled, still in last night’s clothes. Sexy layer of scruff on his jaw. Little cowlick in his hair. Pillow creases on his cheek.
In my bed. Theo isin my bed. And, sweet hell, does he look good there.
Get a fucking grip, my brain whispers.You made a fool out of yourself trying to kiss that man last night, and he let you down as nicely as he could. Have you no shame?
I start to shut the door but pause when he leans up on one elbow. “Fabes?”
“Yep?” I chirp, a little too high-pitched.
A slow blink. “You still want to come house-hunting? If you don’t feel up for it, it’s okay.”
“Mm-hmm. I can do it. I’m just going to . . . uh . . . take a shower first.”
He runs a hand through his hair. “Sounds good. I’ll find us some breakfast.”
I slam the door before I die of embarrassment.
Chapter 21
Theo
“As you can see, everything is very modern. Very sleek.” Cathy waves her hand in a sweeping arc through the kitchen. “All the appliances are brand-new, and the counters are only about a year old.”
